TIMESJanuary 2017

IN THIS ISSUE Page 3Driving in the Snow

Page 4S.A.L.T. Meetings-Winter Wellness

Page 2Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft

Seniors And Law Enforcement Together

S.A.L.T.Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Clark County Sheriff’s OfficeP.O. Box 410Vancouver, WA 98666

To receive the free monthly S.A.L.T. Times Newsletter, call 397-2211 ext. 3380 or send an e-mail to: sheriffcommunityoutreach@clark.wa.gov. For other formats: Clark County ADA Office, Voice (360) 397-2000, Relay (800) 833-6384, E-mail ADA@clark.wa.gov

With dark, cold, and shorter days winter can be a tough season to stay healthy. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing cold and flu, seasonal depression, and health risks related to isolation for seniors who live alone.At the January S.A.L.T. meetings Dr. Gloria Arroyo-Grubbs, TriStar Family Chiropractic and Family Wellness Center, will share tips on how to take a proactive approach to be well this winter.

Here are just some of the presentation topics: ■ Tips on eating healthy and exercising in the winter

months ■ Cold and flu prevention tips ■ Tips to beat the winter blues ■ Healthy skin

S.A.L.T. meetings are free and open to all seniors!

Winter Wellness EAST MeetingJanuary 23, 201711:00 a.m.-noon

Camas Police2100 NE 3rd Ave.Camas, WA 98607

WEST MeetingJanuary 16, 201711:00 a.m.-noon

40 et 8 Community Rm.7607 NE 26th Ave.

Vancouver, WA 98665

Sheriff Chuck E. Atkins

S.A.L.T. Senior Social Highlights

T hank you to everyone who came out for the S.A.L.T. Senior Social on December

12th. The social was held on the west side of town for the first time and it was great to see some new faces. We all had a great time visiting while enjoying some good food provided by Addus HealthCare, Columbia Ridge Senior Living and Clearwater Springs Assisted Living. And we are very thankful to our friends at 40 et 8 Chateau for their great provisions and hospitality.There were some great door prizes including a Hickory Farms gift basket and a poinsettia plant. And what are the odds that a mother and daughter attending the social would both win! (photo bottom right).

The next Seniors And Law Enforcement Together event is the annual spaghetti luncheon so mark your calendar for February 20th and watch for more details next month.

Driving in the Snow

Driving in the snow requires a certain set of driving skills that some Washington/Oregon residents get to use only rarely.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Allow extra time to get where you’re going. Travel is going to be slow.

• Every year, “driving too fast for conditions” shows up in the top five most common reasons for crash-es. Slow down! You must make adjustments in your driving when road conditions have changed.

• Bike riders should be extra careful about motorized vehicles, which take longer to stop in the snow, while drivers must be extra watchful for people on bikes.

• Turn off your cruise control.

• Allow extra stopping distance. There is less traction on slick, snowy roads.

• Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility.

• Brake gently to avoid skidding or sliding. If the wheels lock up, ease off the brakes.

• Carry chains and know how to use them.

• Make sure your vehicle is in top operating conditions, with clean headlights, good brakes, working windshield wipers and good tires.

• Slow down when approaching off-ramps, bridges and shady spots where the snow often lingers longer.

• Be prepared for delays. Make sure you have water, blankets, a full tank of gas…and plenty of patience!

• If you feel tired or if road conditions get rough, don’t be afraid to stop for the night.

• Check road conditions on your route before you go at https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/ and TripCheck.com (for Oregon). Plan your trip accordingly. If conditions are questionable, wait it out.

511 Travel InformationState highway traffic and weather information is available by dialing 511 from most phones. Dialing 511 from your land line is free. Cell phone use counts against minutes, so it is “free” unless you exceed your allocation.

Cell phone users close to the Washington border may have their call routed to other 511 systems. In particular, cell phone users near Vancouver, Washington and Portland (including the Columbia River Gorge) will most likely be routed to the Oregon 511 system. If this happens, try dialing 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).

Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft

For 2016, the IRS, the states and the tax industry joined together to enact new

safeguards and take additional actions to combat tax-related identity theft. Many of these safeguards will be invisible to you, but invaluable to our fight against these criminal syndicates. If you prepare your own return with tax software, you will see new log-on standards. Some states also have taken additional steps. See your state revenue agency’s web site for additional details.

We also know identity theft is a frustrating process for victims. If you become a victim, we are committed to resolving your case as quickly as possible.

What is tax-related identity theft?

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

You may be unaware that this has happened until you efile your return and discover that a return already has been filed using your SSN. Or, the IRS may send you a letter saying we have identified a suspicious return using your SSN.

Know the warning signs

Be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if you are contacted

by the IRS or your tax professional/provider about:•More than one tax return was filed using your SSN.•You owe additional tax, refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.•IRS records indicate you received

wages or other income from an employer for whom you did not work.

Steps to take if you become a victim

If you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends these steps:•File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft.gov.•Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records:

• Equifax, www.Equifax.com, 1-800-766-0008

• Experian, www.Experian.com, 1-888-397-3742

• TransUnion, www.TransUnion.com, 1-800-680-7289

•Contact your financial institutions, and close any financial or credit accounts opened without your permission or tampered with by identity thieves.

If your SSN is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these additional steps:•Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided or,

if instructed, go to IDVerify.irs.gov.•Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if your efiled return rejects because of a duplicate filing under your SSN or you are instructed to do so. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail according to instructions.•Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

If you previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution, contact us for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490. We have teams available to assist.

About data breaches and your taxes

Not all data breaches or computer hacks result in tax-related identity theft. It’s important to know what type of personal information was stolen.

If you’ve been a victim of a data breach, keep in touch with the company to learn what it is doing to protect you and follow the “Steps for victims of identity theft.” Data breach victims should submit a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, only if your Social Security number has been compromised and your efile return was rejected as a duplicate or IRS has informed you that you may be a victim of tax-related identity theft.

How to reduce your risk

Join efforts by the IRS, states and tax industry to protect your data. Here's how you can help:

•Always use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections. Use strong passwords.•Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card companies and even the IRS.•Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or

suspicious emails.•Protect your personal data. Don’t routinely carry your Social Security card, and make sure your tax records are secure.

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text

messages and social media channels.

Report suspicious online or emailed phishing scams to: phishing@irs.gov. For phishing scams by phone, fax or mail, call 1-800-366-4484.

For more info visit: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/identity-protection